Fast Facts
The numbers that drive our mission. Share these — they save lives.
Lives Lost Every Day
17 people die every single day waiting for an organ transplant. That's one person every 85 minutes — and every one of them had someone who loved them.
People on the Waitlist Right Now
Over 103,000 Americans are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant at this very moment. The list grows faster than donors can keep up.
New Yorkers Waiting
Roughly 8,000 of your neighbors, coworkers, and classmates across New York State are on the transplant waitlist. This is local.
One Donor, Many Lives
A single organ donor can save up to 8 lives through transplants — and heal 75 or more people through tissue donation. One decision, dozens of futures.
The Support-Action Gap
90% of US adults say they support organ donation — but only about 60% are actually registered. That 30-point gap costs lives. A simple default change could close it.
New York's Registration Problem
New York has historically ranked near the bottom nationally for donor registration. The rate has been climbing — crossing 50% in late 2024 — but there's still a long way to go.
Countries With Opt-Out Systems
Over 30 countries — including Spain, the UK, France, Austria, the Netherlands, Argentina, Chile, and Singapore — already use opt-out organ donation. It's not radical. It's the global standard.
The Kidney Crisis
85% of people on the national transplant waitlist need a kidney. Kidneys are by far the most needed organ — and the wait can stretch five years or more.
Living Donors Give to Family
66% of living organ donors give to a family member. When you register, you're not helping a stranger in the abstract — you may be protecting someone you love.
Religions That Oppose Donation
Zero. No major world religion — Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, or otherwise — opposes organ donation after death. Faith leaders across the board call it an act of compassion.
Youth Are Ready to Act
Young Americans are more civically engaged than any generation in 50 years. Over 80% of Gen Z say they support organ donation — they just need a clear path to register.
Never Too Old to Save a Life
Cecil Lockhart became an organ donor at age 95 — the oldest on record. There is no age limit. If you have a healthy organ, you can be someone's miracle.
Average Wait Time
The average wait for a kidney transplant in the US is 3 to 5 years. For some patients, the wait stretches even longer — and many die before an organ becomes available.
Spain's World-Leading Rate
Spain has the highest organ donation rate in the world at 49 donors per million population. Their opt-out system, adopted in 1979, is the gold standard that other countries now emulate.
Living Donors Save Lives
Over 6,000 living organ donations happen in the US each year — mostly kidneys. You only need one kidney to live a full, healthy life, and living donor kidneys last longer than deceased donor kidneys.
The Cost of Kidney Disease
Treating kidney failure costs the US healthcare system over $50 billion annually. A single kidney transplant saves approximately $300,000 in dialysis costs over five years — and gives the patient a better life.
The Registration Gap
Every year in the US, about 28,000 organ transplants are performed — but over 100,000 people remain on the waitlist. The gap between supply and demand costs thousands of lives annually.
The Millionth Transplant
The one-millionth organ transplant in the US was performed in September 2012. Since then, hundreds of thousands more lives have been saved — but the waitlist continues to grow.
Organ Recovery Window
After death, organs must be recovered and transplanted within hours. A heart must be transplanted within 4-6 hours, lungs within 6-8 hours, and kidneys within 24-36 hours.
Minority Health Disparities
Black and Hispanic Americans make up over 60% of the transplant waitlist but represent a smaller percentage of registered donors. Closing this gap requires culturally sensitive outreach and equitable access.
The Data, Visualized
Explore the numbers behind the organ donation crisis.
Registration Rates: Opt-Out vs. Opt-In
Countries with opt-out systems consistently outperform opt-in countries.
The pattern is clear: opt-out systems produce 20–40% higher registration rates. That translates directly into lives saved.
What Organs Are People Waiting For?
Out of 103,000+ people on the national transplant waitlist
The kidney crisis dominates the waitlist. 85% of people waiting need a kidney, and the average wait is 3–5 years. Living donation can help — you only need one kidney to live a full, healthy life.
Myths vs. Facts
Tap each myth to reveal the truth. How many did you believe?
“Doctors won't try as hard to save me if I'm a registered donor.”
Tap to reveal the truth →
“I'm too old to be an organ donor.”
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“My religion doesn't allow organ donation.”
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“If I donate, my body won't be suitable for an open-casket funeral.”
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“Rich or famous people get organs faster.”
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“Organ donation costs money for the donor's family.”
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Did You Know?
Test your organ donation knowledge with our quick quiz!